The location and nature of cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) are more than descriptive terms used simply to describe some aspects of tooth morphology; however, CEJ gains a lot of clinical significance due to various measurements dependent on it. It may be necessary to determine the location and pathological changes occurring at CEJ to make a diagnosis and treat diseases pertaining to epithelial attachment and gingival margin. However, the information related to CEJ is not discussed commonly. Hence, the present review paper provides an insight on CEJ in both primary and permanent dentition.

Background: During the progression of periodontal disease, the cementum undergoes alterations in its structure and composition. Understanding the nanostructure of cementum, in terms of its mechanical properties, will provide an insight into the milieu that periodontal ligament cells encounter in health and chronic periodontitis. This study aims to analyze the nanomechanical properties of the cervical third of the cementum (transverse section) in health and chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Twenty teeth (10 healthy and 10 periodontally diseased) were collected and the nanomechanical properties of the transverse section of the cervical third cementum were evaluated with depth-sensing nanoindentation technique under dry conditions. A total of 100 nanoindentations were performed to analyze the modulus of elasticity and hardness of cervical third of the cementum. Results: The nanomechanical properties of the healthy cervical third cementum sections were significantly higher (P < 0.05) (hardness: 0.720 ± 0.305 GPa; modulus: 15.420 ± 3.902 GPa) than the diseased cementum section (hardness: 0.422 ± 0.157 GPa; modulus: 11.056 ± 3.434 GPa). Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that the hardness and modulus of elasticity of the cervical third cementum decreases significantly in chronic periodontitis.

Objective: Due to the rampant use of antibiotics bacteria are acquiring resistance to penicillin group of drugs, which results in prescription failure in clinical practice. Beta-lactamase producing organisms are not only more virulent they also cause surrounding bacteria to become resistant. Hence, this study was undertaken to know the prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing anaerobic bacteria in chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted for a period of 1 year from January to December 2010 at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Clinical samples were collected from the sub gingival pockets from cases of chronic periodontitis and transported to the laboratory in fluid thioglycollate medium. Gram's staining was performed and anaerobic culture put up. All the anaerobic bacteria isolated were tested for beta-lactamase production by Nitrocefin disc method. Results: A total of 60 samples yielded 121 isolates, out of which 26% were ESBL producers. Bacteroidesfragilis was the most common organism followed by Fusobacteriumspecies. Conclusion: ESBL producing anaerobic bacteria exits in chronic periodontitis cases and the present study identified 26% of the isolates to be ESBL producers. Antibiotic resistance testing is essential before starting the therapy and in emergency cases drugs should be chosen to cover ESBL producers.

Aims and Objectives: (1) To evaluate the need of antibiotics in periodontal surgeries in reducing postsurgical infections and explore if antibiotics have any key role in reducing or eliminating inflammatory complications. (2) To establish the incidence of postoperative infections in relation to type of surgery and determine those factors, which may affect infection rates. Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized double-blind cross over clinical study was carried out for a period of 1-year with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the patients included in the study for any periodontal surgery were randomly divided into three categories: Group A (prophylactic), Group B (therapeutic), and Group C (no antibiotics). Patients were followed up for 1-week after surgery on the day of suture removal and were evaluated for pain, swelling, fever, infection, delayed wound healing and any other significant findings. Appropriate statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate the objectives and P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: No infection was reported in any of 90 sites. Patients reported less pain and postoperative discomfort when prophylactic antibiotics were given. However, there were no statistical significant differences between the three groups. Summary and Conclusion: There was no postoperative infection reported in all the 90 sites operated in this study. The prevalence of postoperative infections following periodontal surgery is <1% and this low risk does not justify the routine use of systemic antimicrobials just to prevent infections. Use of prophylactic antibiotics may have role in prevention of inflammatory complication, but again not infection.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the clinical effects of topical subgingival application of 2% whole turmeric gel and 1% chlorhexidine gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients suffering from chronic periodontitis. Materials andMethods: Fifteen patients with localized or generalized chronic periodontitis with a pocket depth of 5-7 mm were selected. In each patient, on completion of SRP, three non-adjacent sites in three different quadrants were randomly divided into three different groups, that is, Group I: Those receiving 2% turmeric gel, Group II: Those receiving 1% chlorhexidine gel (Hexigel), and Group III: SRP alone (control site). Plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, and clinical attachment levels were determined at baseline, 30 days, and 45 days. Results: Group II as a local drug system was better than Group III. Group I showed comparable improvement in all the clinical parameters as Group II. Conclusions: The experimental local drug delivery system containing 2% whole turmeric gel helped in reduction of probing depth and gain of clinical attachment levels.

Background: Calcium sodium phosphosilicate is a recently introduced desensitizing agent which acts by occluding the dentinal tubules and also resists acid decalcification. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of a new toothpaste containing 5% calcium sodium phosphosilicate for the treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity and also compare it with 5% potassium nitrate. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with the chief complaint of dentinal hypersensitivity were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. The visual analog scale (VAS) scores were taken for water and air stimuli at baseline, 3 weeks after usage of the respective toothpaste, and 3 weeks after discontinuation of the respective toothpaste. Results: Both the groups showed reduction in hypersensitivity scores at 3 weeks and 6 weeks for air stimulus and cold water. The calcium sodium phosphosilicate group, however, showed significantly reduction in hypersensitivity compared to the potassium nitrate group at any time point for both measures of hypersensitivity. Conclusion: The 5% calcium sodium phosphosilicate group showed immense reduction in dentinal hypersensitivity symptoms. The 5% calcium sodium phosphosilicate showed prolonged effects even after discontinuation as compared to 5% potassium nitrate, due to its dentinal tubular occlusion property.

Aim: The present study was undertaken to evaluate patient response and recurrence of pigmentation following gingival depigmentation carried out with a surgical blade and diode laser. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients who were esthetically conscious of their dark gums and requested treatment for the same were selected for this study. Complete phase I therapy was performed for all the patients before performing the gingival depigmentation procedures with laser and scalpel on a split-mouth basis. Patients were evaluated for pain (1 day, 1 week), wound healing and melanin repigmentation (Melanin Pigmentation Index) immediately and at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months, respectively. Results: The final results were statistically analyzed and significance was evaluated. The results of this study indicated that both scalpel and laser were efficient for gingival depigmentation. Comparative pain assessment (P = 0.148) and repigmentation scores (P = 0.288) at various time intervals between the two groups did not show any statistical significance. Conclusion: Both the procedures did not result in any post-operative complications and the gingiva healed uneventfully. When compared, both the techniques were found to be equally efficacious. Care must be taken to assess the gingival biotype and the degree of pigmentation in deciding which technique is to be used. Clinical Significance: Various methods of depigmentation are available with comparable efficacies. Depigmentation is not a clinical indication but a treatment of choice where esthetics is a concern and is desired by the patient.

Background: In periodontal regeneration, several alloplastic materials are being used with a goal to reconstruct new osseous tissue in the infrabony defect sites. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of hydroxyapatite-bioactive glass (HA:BG) composite granules in the management of periodontal bony defects. Materials and Methods: A randomized control study was conducted. Subjects with infrabony defects were divided into three groups. Test Group 1 (n = 10): Defect site was treated with HA:BG, with a biodegradable membrane. Test Group 2 (n = 10): Defect site was treated with HAP, with a biodegradable membrane. Control group (n = 10): Defect site was treated with open flap debridement with a biodegradable membrane Results: The healing of defects was uneventful and free of any biological complications. The gain in clinical attachment level, reduction of probing pocket depth, and defect fill were statistically significant in all three groups. TG1 sites showed significant defect fill than TG2 and CG sites. Conclusion: The performance of HA:BG was better compared to HAP and open flap debridement for the reconstruction of infrabony defects.

Background: The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy entails regeneration of the periodontal tissues lost as a consequence of periodontitis. Predictable correction of vertical osseous defects has however posed as a constant therapeutic challenge. The aim of our present study is to evaluate the relative efficacy of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) vs anorganic bovine bone xenograft (ABBX) in the treatment of human infrabony periodontal defects. Materials and Methods: 15 patients with 30 bilaterally symmetrical defect sites in either of the arches, in the age group of 25-50 years were selected as part of split-mouth study design. Defect-A (right side) was grafted with DFDBA while Defect-B (left side) was grafted with ABBX. Various clinical and radiographic parameters viz. probing depth(PD), clinical attachment level(CAL) and linear bone fill were recorded preoperatively, 12- & 24-weeks postoperatively. Results: Both defect-A & defect-B sites exhibited a highly significant reduction in probing depth, and gain in clinical attachment level and linear bone fill at 12-weeks & at the end of 24-weeks. Comparative evaluation between the study groups revealed a statistically non-significant reduction in probing depth (P<0.1) and mean gain in linear bone fill (P<0.1). However, there was a statistically significant gain in clinical attachment level (P <0.05) in Defect-A (CD=0.356) as compared to Defect-B (CD=0.346). Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, both the materials viz. ABBX and DFDBA are beneficial for the treatment of periodontal infrabony defects. Both the materials were found to be equally effective in all respects except the gain in attachment level, which was found to be more with DFDBA. Long-term studies are suggested to evaluate further the relative efficacy of the two grafts.

Background and Objective: Hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) grafts have shown to be effective in promoting the clinical signs of periodontal regeneration in intrabony defects. The aim of our study was to clinically and radiographically evaluate the efficacy of HA and β-TCP composite bone graft material in the treatment of intrabony three-wall defect. Materials andMethods: Twenty patients participated in this study. Interproximal bony defects were surgically treated with a combination of HA-βTCP (biphasic calcium phosphate). Changes in clinical parameters such as gingival status, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment, and radiographic estimation of the amount of bone fill were evaluated after 6 months postoperatively. Statistical Analysis Used : Student's " t" test. Results: This treatment modality resulted in significant pocket depth reduction and clinical attachment gain which were observed to be 2.938 mm (47.04%) and 3.188 mm (29.09%), respectively. The defect fill as seen radiographically was 3.204 mm (63.195%). All the differences were highly significant and in favor of postoperative group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that HA-βTCP (biphasic calcium phosphate) provides an added regenerative effect in promoting the clinical resolution of intrabony three-wall defects in patients with periodontitis.

A comparative evaluation of platelet-rich plasma in combination with demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft and DFDBA alone in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects: A clinicoradiographic study

Background: The aim of the present clinical trial was to compare PRP combined with a DFDBA to DFDBA mixed with a normal saline solution in the treatment of human intrabony defects. Materials and Methods: Twenty interproximal intrabony osseous defects in twenty non-smoking, healthy subjects diagnosed with chronic periodontitis were treated in this study. Ten subjects each were randomly assigned to the test group (PRP + DFDBA) or the control group (DFDBA + saline). Clinical and radiographic measurements were made at baseline, three month and at six-month evaluation. Results: The results at three and six months, when compared to the baseline, indicated that both treatment modalities resulted in significant changes in all clinical parameters (gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing depth, clinical attachment level and gingival recession; P < 0.01) and radiographic parameters (hard-tissue fill and bone-depth reduction; P < 0.01). However, the test group exhibited statistically significantly greater changes compared to the control group in plaque index at three months (P = 0.00), probing depth reduction at 6 months (P = 0.02) and the radiographic defect fill at 6 months (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Treatment with a combination of PRP and DFDBA led to a statistically significantly greater improvement in plaque index at 3 months, probing depth at 6 months and radiographic defect fill at 6 months in intrabony periodontal defects as compared to DFDBA with normal saline.

Background: The current cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the oral health-related knowledge, attitude and practices among eunuchs (hijras) residing in Bhopal city, Madhya Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: Based on a convenient non-probability snow ball sampling technique, all the self-identified eunuchs residing in the city of Bhopal who were present at the time of study and who fulfilled the selection criteria were approached. A cross section of the general population was also surveyed. An interviewer-based, predesigned, structured, close-ended 18-item questionnaire that had been designed based on the primary objective of the study was used. All the obtained data were analyzed using software, Statistical Package for Social Science version 20. Results: According to 188 (86.2%) males, 187 (87.4%) females and 168 (81.2%) eunuchs, good oral health can improve the general health. Most of the study participants including 211 (98.6%) females, 210 (96.3%) males and 205 (99%) eunuchs use either tooth paste or tooth powder to clean their teeth. While, a majority of eunuchs, i.e., 113 (54.6%), were having habit of chewing smokeless tobacco containing products such as betel nut, betel quid, gutkha, etc., The difference in use of tobacco products was statistically significant. Conclusion: The information presented in this study adds to our understanding of the common oral hygiene practices which are performed among eunuch population. Efforts to increase the awareness of oral effects of tobacco use and to eliminate the habit are needed to improve oral and general health of this population.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic specific granulomatous disease and a major cause of death in developing countries. The clinical presentation of TB lesions of the oral cavity varies widely and can manifest as ulcerations, diffuse inflammatory lesions, granulomas and fissures. Oral lesions generally appear secondary to primary TB infection elsewhere, although primary infection of the oral mucosa by Mycobacterium tuberculosis has also been described. We hereby report a case of primary TB of the gingiva manifesting as gingival enlargement. Diagnosis was based on histopathological examination, complete blood count, X-ray chest and immunological investigations with detection of antibodies against M. tuberculosis. Anti-tuberculous therapy was carried out for over 6 months and was followed by surgical excision of the residual enlargement under local anesthesia. After 1-year follow-up, there was no recurrence of the disease. This case report emphasizes the need for dentists to include TB in the differential diagnosis of various types of gingival enlargements.

Pyogenic granuloma is a tumor-like proliferation to a non-specific infection. The tumor-like growth is considered to be non-neoplastic in nature and presents in various clinical and histological forms in the oral cavity. Hemangiomas are benign vascular anomalies characterized by benign proliferation of blood vessels. The aim of this article is to drive attention toward the uncommon location of capillary hemangioma on the palate. In spite of their benign nature, intraoral capillary hemangiomas are always clinically important to be diagnosed well in time and suitably managed. The lesion in the present case although clinically diagnosed as pyogenic granuloma gave a histological picture of capillary hemangioma when surgically excised.

Gingival enlargement is a common clinical feature seen in patients suffering from gingival and periodontal diseases and is a common side-effect of drugs such as anti-convulsants, calcium channel blockers and immunosuppresants. This is a case report of 22 months old child suffering from gingival enlargement following intake of sodium valproate. Among the anti-convulsants phenytoin is commonly associated with gingival enlargement; however, there are not many cases reported on sodium valproate induced gingival enlargement.

The replacement of missing teeth with implant-borne restorations has become a treatment modality accepted by the scientific community for fully and partially edentulous patients. Recent reports have demonstrated the successful placement of dental implants into the fresh extraction socket in the anterior as well as in molar regions, which is made possible due to modification in implant surface. The present case report highlights the placement of three bicortical screw (BCS) implants into the fresh extraction sockets and one KOS implant in edentulous area with flapless technique. All the implants were immediately loaded and followed up for a period of 6 months.

Anatomically the pulp and periodontium are connected through apical foramen, and the lateral, accessory, and furcal canals. Diseases of one tissue may affect the other. In the present case report with two cases, a primary periodontal lesion with secondary endodontic involvement is described. In both cases, root canal treatment was done followed by periodontal therapy with the use of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as the regenerative material of choice. PRF has been a breakthrough in the stimulation and acceleration of tissue healing. It is used to achieve faster healing of the intrabony defects. Absence of an intraradicular lesion, pain, and swelling, along with tooth stability and adequate radiographic bone fill at 9 months of follow-up indicated a successful outcome.

The containment of the elevator muscle of the upper lip and wing of nose was used for the treatment of patients with gummy smile. This technique had corrected esthetic alterations of smile, reducing the upper lip elevation, which results in a smaller gingival display. An upper lip lengthening as well as a reduction in the upper lip shortening when the patient smiled could be observed. The high smile line was corrected without compromising the labial harmony. This study presents an innovative and effective therapeutic option to obtain a natural and harmonious smile. The patient expressed a high degree of satisfaction.

Endosseous implants have revolutionized the field of Implants and Periodontics. Implant placement is a viable option in the treatment of partial and full edentulism. However, placement of implants in alveolar deficiencies may lead to adverse angulations, mechanical overload and esthetic dissatisfaction. When minimum dimensions for implant placement are not present in alveolar process, it is necessary to augment the size of the ridge. This can be achieved by various methods and materials. Here we present a successful case of vertical and horizontal ridge augmentation in anterior maxilla using autograft, xenograft and titanium mesh with simultaneous placement of implants, where autograft was obtained from the same site avoiding secondary surgical site.

Rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis, both, chronic inflammatory diseases share certain common diagnostic, pathological, immunogenetic and therapeutic features. A recently discovered enzymatic mimicry between human and bacterial species is novel and it opens up a new terrain for therapeutic blockade in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.